Taxman by The Beatles

With all the current talk about taxes on the rich and offshore accounts, it is easy to forget an earlier time when four working class lads from Liverpool were genuinely shocked to see how much of their money was going to the tax man.

Forget the 45% or 50% high tax rate that Labour and the Conservatives are arguing over at the moment. Back then Harold Wilson's Labour government had introduced a 95% supertax rate!

Taxman

The Beatles hit back on their 1966 album 'Revolver' with the song 'Taxman'. Written by George Harrison, he said of the song, "Taxman was when I first realized that even though we had started earning money, we were actually giving most of it away in taxes."

Well, we all know The Beatles didn't do too badly overall, but as long as their are excessive taxes, there'll always be plenty of accountants.

So many thanks to HMRC for providing me with a living!

Lyrics

For those who can't make them out from the song, the following are the lyrics:

Let me tell you how it will beThere's one for you, nineteen for me
'Cause I'm the taxman, yeah, I'm the taxman

Should five per cent appear too small
Be thankful I don't take it all
'Cause I'm the taxman, yeah I'm the taxman

If you drive a car, I'll tax the street,
If you try to sit, I'll tax your seat.
If you get too cold I'll tax the heat,
If you take a walk, I'll tax your feet.

Don’t ask me what I want it for
If you don't want to pay some more
'Cause I'm the taxman, yeah, I'm the taxman

Now my advice for those who die
Declare the pennies on your eyes
'Cause I'm the taxman, yeah, I'm the taxman

And you're working for no one but me.

Note the line "There's one for you, nineteen for me" reference to Wilson's 95% tax rate.

Tax Advice

If you're liable for higher rate tax of 45%, give Fiona Wills a call for personal, business or corporation tax advice.